Casing floater



E. H. MECHLING ET AL Jan. 5, 1932.

GAS ING FLOATER Filed March 28. 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet l wm Am /ww? I L w u. 1.

HUHHHHH|IIIIIIIVIII|U ATTORNEY.

sw MY WW MN wmmm lllll llll gg Jan. 5, 1932. F.Y H. MECHLING ET AL v oAsNG FLOATER Filed Maron 28. 192'? a sheets-Sheet 2 IIa-n. 5, .1932. E. H. MECHLING ET AL GAS ING FLOATER v Filed March 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Q N@ @P mW mmw www INVENTORS ki@ L@ FMTIMNN w Nh NMUQN.

A TTORNEY'.

NMA.

Jan. 5, 1932. E. MEcHLlNG ET Al.

CASING FLOATER Filed March 28. 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Viv. a

ATTORNEY.

E. H. MEcHL-ING ETAL CASING FLOATER Jan. 5, 1932.

Filed Mar-oh 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Kw. WKN NN i w kklmmm .NWN

Jan. 5, 1932.

E. H. MECHLING ET AL cAsING FLOTER Sheets-Sheet 7 CASING E 'LOATER Filed March 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 E. H. MECHLING ET AL Jan. 5, 1932.

Patented Jan. 5,l 1932 imitan; sr'rfis ELI H. Meer-rame, or' L1MA,oH1o, AnnJoHN n e OKLAHOMA Hoskins, or ninfimasvILLE;-n

caserne FLOATER appiieatioa mea-Maren 2s, i192?. semaine. 179,165.

This invention is directed to ay well' casing 'fioater which may be applied andwithdrawn at will and which, when in position, serves to take advantage of the flotation e'ii'ect of water to assist in removing or placing a string of casing from orinto a well. l

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a floater -designed more particularly to be both positioned and withdrawn by means of appropriate tools on the usual cable with the iioaterV provided with means for sealing the juncture between the 'casing and loate'r `and with `Vfurther means for holding the'iloater fixed against upward or downward movement with respect to the casing, combined with means whereby. the iioater sealing means and iloa'ter gripping means are automatically controlledv at will andheld in both operative and inoperative positions wholly independentof the movement of the floater, whereby such floater may be readily lowered tothe desired position` in the casing and as readily removed from the casing without interference from either the sealing or gripping means.

A further obfec-t ot' the invention is the provision of a Hoater inrwhich the iiuid in the well. may readilypass through the floater during the placing of the latter, with means for cutting ofi the flow through the fioater when the latter has been finally placed possible' to getV watercoluniii or pressure from the outside of casing. n

'further object of the invention the proifisioii of a iioater in which and through which water may be pumped to ,utilize the Vflotation elifect of such water and atthe same time permit the water so delivered through vtlieviloaterto reach around the outer of the casingvsections to wash the sand and mud from the joints.v

A further object is the provision/off a placingv tool whichis engaged with the floater and utilized to lower the ioater tothe desired position in the casing and thereafter operate the ioater to seal and lock it with respect to the casing, the placing tool being constructed to permitV its automatic disengageinent with the loater following the .placement of the latter in Vthe'. desired position.

1 A :further objectof the invention is the provision of a. removing tool adapted to automatically engage the placed loater and capa ble Vin operation of, automatically releasing the ioater from its sealing and gripping oooperatioii' with the casing to thereafter per mit theffloaterl to `be withdrawn from the casing. by means ofthe removing tool., f

rlhe inventionis illustrated in the accom- `panyingdrawingsa in which: f

Figuresl, la and lb together constitute a a longitudinal sectional Viewv of the vfloater and cooperating placing tool through which the loater is loweredito the desired position and by means of which the floater isplaced in sealing and gripping cooperation with the casing, the relation of the views'being such n that Figure 1a is placed at tlie left of F igure l and Figure Figure Figures 2 and llb is placed v at the left of 2a together constitute a i longitudinal sectional view showing the `loater in sealed and gripping cooperation with" the v casfiioithe lacin ,itoolhavinof been removed D? i b 7 Figure 2f being placed at the left of Figure 2 y -to complete the View. y

Figures 3, 8a and 3b together constitutea longitudinal sectional yView showing the I floater as released by the removingtool, the latterbeing shown in cooperation with rthe loater preparatory to removingthe l-oater from the casing, lthe' views being assembled by placing Figure 3? .to theleft of Figure 3 and Figure .3b to the left of Figure 3a. .Y 1

Figure l is a bottom end View of the loater.l Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 3b.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig- Figures 15, 15a and 15b together constitute a longitudinal sectional view of a slightly different form of floater, the relation of views being such that Figure 15a is to be placed to the left of Figure 15 and Figure 15b is to be placed at the left of Figure 15a.

Figures 16 and 416a together constitute a longitudinal sectional view of the modified form of floater, showing the fioater in sealed and gripping cooperation with the casing, Figure 16a beingY placed at the left of Figure 16 to complete the view.

Figures 17 and 17a together constitute a 'longitudinal `sectional view of thel modified floater, showingV the same as released by the. yremoving tool, the view being assembled by placing Figure 17a at the left of Figure 17. Figure 18 is a view of a slightly modified formy of placing tool.

Figure 19is a section on line 19--19 of Figure 17a.

1 Figure 2O is a section 'on line 20-20 of lFigure 17 Figure 21 is a Figure 17.

Figure 22 is a float-er.

Figure 23 is a Figure 17.

Figure 24; is a section on line l21--21l of bottomend view of the section on line of section on line 24e-24 of Figure 17a.

i Figure 18.

Figure 25 is a on line 25-25 of Figure 17. ,A

Figure 26 is a section section on line 26-26 of Figure 27 is a section on line 27-27 of Figure 18.

Figure 28 is a bottom plan view of the l placing tool.

Figure 29 is a section on line 29-29 of Figure 18. Y

In the following description, the floater shown in Figures 1 to 3b, inclusive, will first be described, then a description of the placing tool for such floater will be given, and following this thc removing tool which is common to both types of' floaters will be described, then the description will take up in detail the modified form of fioater and the modified form of placing tool to cooperate therewith.

The floater The floater comprises an elongated sleevelike section 1, hereinafter termed the driving sleeve, provided at its upper end with a driving collar 2 threaded onto the end of the sleeve and fixed against disconnection and presenting an annular inclined shoulder 3 about the sleeve at the lower end of the collar. The collar above the sleeve is internally threaded at l with a left hand thread to per mit the connection of tubing to and in alignment with the sleeve when necessary for purposes which will later appear.

The lower end of the sleeve is provided with ay cap 5, the side wall of which beyond the end of the sleeve is formed withopenings 6. downwardly opening valve 7 is arranged to cooperate with the lower end of the sleeve 1 and is held closed in the absence of pressure from within the sleeve by a spring 8 bearing between the cap and valve. The sleeve 1 immediately above the cap 5 is formed with an opening 9, hereinafter termed the sleeve outlet.

A packing carrier 10 of sleeve-like form encircles the driving sleeve near the lower end, this carrier being interiorly spaced from the sleeve throughout its length except at the lower end where its interior diameter is reduced for a sliding fit on the sleeve providing a shoulder 11 at the lower end of the packing carrier and interiorly thereof. To prevent fluid leakage between the packing carrier and driving sleeve above the shoulder 11, suitable packing 12 is arranged to bear upon a ring seating in a recess 13 in the packing carrier, with such packing held in suitable form by a gland 14 cooperating with the packing carrier.

The driving sleeve between the packing 12 and the shoulder 11 of the packing carrier is formed integrally or provided with a rigidly secured annular member 15 constituting and hereinafter referred to as a driving flange, the function of which is to engage the shoulder 11 to depress the packing carrier in certain operations of the packer. A nut-like member 16 is threaded on the lower end of the packing carrier with a downwardly and outwardly sloping surface 17 beyond the packingcarrier between which surface and a retainer 18 encircling the packer above thc nut there are arranged the packing rubbers 19 in the use of which the floatei` is placed in sealing cooperation with the casing. These packing rubbers are preferably annular rubber bodies which, when subjected to endwise compression, result in an increase in diameter to effect a sealing operation and preferably, though not necessarily, are here shown as divided Ywith an interposed washerY 2O to increase the resistance of the water between the rubbers and the casing.

The retainer 18 at the upper "ends of the rubbers is of course mounted for relative movement oii the packing carrier `in order to insure the `spreading of the rubbers, `such retainer for this purpose being threaded upon the lower end of an annular or sleeve-like upper end of and extends above the carrier,

such sleeve being exteriorly reinforced at 27 and interiorly provided at its lower end with a flange 28'to underlie the flange 23 on the carrier and act as a limit for the movement of the carrier in one direction. The spring sleeve 26 extends materially abovethe carrier and is eXteriorly reinforced at 29 at its upper end' and interiorly provided, through threaded cooperation, with a bushing 30 within which is threaded the lower'end of.

whatwillbe termed the floater body 3l. This f body encircles the driving sleeve and is formed with diametrically opposed pairs of vertically ranging slots or channels 32,- the inneror vertical walls of which are inwardly and upwardly inclined. Itis apparent that the floater body may be directly secured to the springcasing if desired. The "proj vision of the bushing 30, however, provides a convenient machining of the slots, as they may be cut directly through thebody lfrom end to end while'the bushing forms an abutf.

ment at the lower ends ofthe slots; L

Slidably mounted in each slot 32 is a grip-V per 33 in the form of a metallic sectionhaving its inner wall inclined in correspondence with the upright wall of the slot and its outer surface roughened or serrated or otherwise formed at 34 so that it may bite into the cas-v ing of the well and thus act to fit the `floater againstrelative movement inthe casing. Removably secured to tlieupper end of the float er body 3l is a cylindrical extension or cast'- ing 35 having adjacent the body 3l an eX- tended flange 36 'formed with pairs of diametrically opposed guide slots 37 for a purpose which will later appear. bove-the flange 37. the body extension 35` iskforined with a plurality of dogs 38 pivotally supported in the extension and held against undue outward movementA by pins 39 bridging the slots in which the logs are mounted,v The noses or operative ends of the dogs have prospring-pressed jections 4() by which the dogs 'are temporarily held in locked position.

Mounted for sliding movement directlyon the driving sleeve is what may be termed a spring trip sleeve 4l and slidably encircling and bearing directly upon the springtrip sleeve is-what may be'terined a maintrip `sleeve 42. n rhespring trip sleeve extends belowthe main trip sleeve and is provided above itslower end with a fixed collar'43 adapted to beV operated` by a spring under certain conditions to lift the sleeve. In order that the desired effect of the spring be provided for without undue lengt-h of spring and therefore increased over-all length of the floater, such spring is arranged in inner and Vouter sections 44 and 45, the former encircling the spring trip sleeve and bearing at its upper end against the collar '43 and at its lower end against a flange 46 carried by a spacing sleeve 47 arranged between the spring sections and provided at its upper end with a flange 48 beneath which the upper end of the outer spring section bears, the lower end of the outer spring section bearingon a flange 49 or ring carried by and projecting inwardly from a retainingslee've 49 which extends longitudinally above and below the spring length and between the outer spring section 45 and the spring'sleeve 26. f

llieretaining sleeve 49 is fornied'at its upper end with an outwardly extending flange 50 between which flange and the flange 23 on the carrier, and housed between the Vspring sleeve 26and the retaining sleeve 49,

is acoil spring 5l. This spring is comparaicularly noted that this spring, which will 'be hereinafter termed the main spring, is of such inherent tension that more force is required to compressit thanis required to lift the iioater per se. Therefore, if the floater 'is free to move in the casing, it is apparent that the main spring will not Vbe compressed.

Slidably mounted upon the inain trip sleeve 42 above Vthe body extensionV 35 is a gripper operator 52 Aarranged in the forni of asleeve or cylindrical extension and pivotally supporting lin is 53 whichdepend toward and arel pivotally connectedA to the respectiveA grippers 33, passing through theguide slots 37.

Mounted slots 54 in the gripper operator, preferably arranged in diametrically opposedV pairs, are pawls 55 normally iiiflunced to operatifve position'by springs 56.'

rlhe driving sleeve ,l is formed with. serratioiis or ratchet recesses v57 with which the pawls cooperate. rlhese ratchet recesses or raclrs are oii's'et vertically vso'that at least twok 'of the pawls arealways in position to engage` .one of the racks.V

The pawls 55 operate through slots 58 in the main trip sleeve and slots 59 in the spring trip sleeve.Y The dogs 3801i' the floater body tivelyheavy and serves to hold the floater {bodyin raised position and it is to be parextension operate through slots in the main trip sleeve and engage in recesses 6l in the spring trip sleeve, so as to hold this sleeve in lined relation to the tloater body as long` the dogs are in operative position. lhen the does are inoperative, that is when the lloater is being set or in sealing and gripping cooperation with the casing, the dogs 3S are held against release movement by a section 62 of the main trip sleeve which overlies the dog projections l0 and prevents outward movement of the dogs. lt is, of course, understood that when the main trip sleeve is operated, as will later appear, the dogs are Yreii ved ci this holding action and on rela= tively upward movement of the spring trip sleeve, the dogs will be forcee from holding cooperation with that sleeve, as for example by rorming the meeting edges of the dog and sleeve recess on an inclination as indicated. The main trip sleeveterminates above the lower end of the spring trip sleeve and is terminally7 pro ed or formed with collars 63 which are arranged to operatively cooperate with th iloater body 3l, the latter being interiorly recessed at @il to permit limited movement of the collars before engaging the body through Contact with the shoulder 65 formed at the upper end of the recessed portion 64. The upper eno. oi the spring trip sleeve has an annul collar or projection 65 and the upper end ot the main trip sleeve is also provided with a collar 67, the latter, however, being below the collar of the spring trip sleeve and having an external diameter exceeding that of the collar An impor tant detail of the present invention resides in the provision 'of what will be termed friction slides which comprise elongated spring strips' 67 secured at their respective ends to the outer surface of the spring sleeve rlhese friction slides, which are provided in appropriate number, are so tensioned as to normally present at their area of maximum projection beyond the sleeve a diameter exceeding that of the casing in which the iloater is to be placed. As

an obvious result, these friction slides will be compressed to be tensioned when the oater is positioned to thereby enert a binding action between the loater and casing. The slides are designedparticularly to support the weight oiE the loater within the casing and thereby prevent the tloater from falling if the other parts serving this end should fail to function. For e ple, if the ratchets 55 fail to catch the dr np' sleeve and hold it in elevated position. the loater would, in the absence oit other supporting means, Jfall to the bottom of the casing and thereby be diiiicult it not imposible to remove.

friction slides, however, under tension to a degree suiiicient to support the fioater, the latter could not fall and if the locking parts failed to function, such douter could be easily lilith the The placing tool The iioater just described is primarily and particularly designed to be operated both in placement in the casing and withdrawal from the casing by the usual cable, and in order that the i'loater parts may be properly operated in the placement of the floa ter, a particular placing tool is required. This tool is shown as connected with the loater in Figures l, and lb, being, however, illustrated particularly in Figure lb.

rlhe placing tool comprises a connector 68 in the form of a casting arranged at 69 for connection to the cable and formed with a longitudinal bore ZO passing through a reduced neck of the connector and having lateral outlets 7l through such neck. A pipe section 72 is removably joined to the connector 68 by a coupling 73,'the lower portion of the pipe section having an in erior sleeve 7% forming an abrupt shoulder 75 interiorly of the pipe section and intermediate its ends.

rlhe placingtool also includes a tubular member 76 approximately corresponding in diam eter to the driving sleeve l oi the tloater, this tubular member constituting a fluid conduit between the driving sleeve and the bore oi:` the connector during the placing operation as will later appear.

The upper end of the tubular member is provided with nuts 77 threaded thereon below which there is provided a disk washer 78 encircling the tubular member and forming an upper limit orv bearing member for springs 79 preferably arranged in inner and outer sections, which springs bear at their lower ends upon a disk washer 8O resting upon the shoulder 75.k rl`he lower end of the tubular member 76 is provided below the disk washer 80 with a nipple Si having an upper laterally extending iiange 82.

Locking dogs 83 are carried by the flange 82, being recessed at Sli to cooperate with the :Flange and formed on their inner edges with shoulders 85 adapted, when the placing tool is connected to the loater, to engage beneath trie inclined shoulder 3 ofthe driving collar 2. The locking dogsS-l` appr. Ximate the length of the sleeve 74, and said dogs below the shoulders 85 have a width approximating the distance between the driving sleeve l of the Vfloater and the sleeve .74 of the placing tool,

so that when the parts are in the connected relation, the sleeve Pl acts to hold the locking lil() levers in such position that their shouldersS will engage beneath thein'clined shoulder 3' of the drivingcollar 2. n

The outer edges of the lock-ing dogs are',

- however, recessed at 86, thereby materially reducing the width of the dogs in transverse The removing tool The removing tool is arranged to'cooperate with the main trip sleeveJ and this tool is shown more. particularly in connection with Figures 3, 3a and 3b, the tool itself being illustrated'in Figure 3U. The removing tool is designed to be lowered into the casing bythe usual cable `and to automatically engage with the main trip sleeve, that is, be-v low the collar 67 on said sleeve. Y

This removing' tool comprises a' connector 87 similar to the connector 68 ofthe placingV tool to which, through'a' coupling 88, is ser:

cured a pipe section 89. The connector is bored to receive a guide sleeve 90 extending longitudinally of and spaced from the pipe section 89. The lower end of the pipe section 89 is provided with an annular member V91r recessedat'92 to receive the lower edge of the guide sleeve 90, the annular member be; low the recess being flared at 93 to guide the removing tool over the main trip sleeve, which latter will be thereby guided'within the guide sleeve 90 as the removing tool 1s lowered over the iioater.

A dog operating sleeve 94 is slidably mounted on the guide sleeve 90 and is pro-l vided at its upper end with an outstanding flange 95 ,between which and the lower end of the connector is arranged a coil spring 96. Locking dogs 97 are carried by the oper-A ating sleeve, said dogs being formed at their upper ends with recesses 98 tocoopeifate with a flange 99`on the operating sleeve, thelower ends of the dogs passing through slots in the guide vsleeve and having engaging ends 100 to engage beneath the collar'67'o`n the main trip sleeve. rlhe annular member y9,1 is formed above the recess 92 with anin'clined surface 101 engaging a corresponding surface 102 on the dogs,` thereby permitting outward movement of the l,hook ends ofthe dogs riding over the collar 67 in positioning the're` moving tool, the spring 96 thereafter' voperek ating to move the dogs' downwardly with spect to the inclined surface l-xan1dther`ebv force and hold the dogs' in position to engage the collar 67 Von the main tripsleeve.-V

It desired-,thedogs` 97 be formed Eon their` inner edges with inclined sections 108 which, in operation, are engaged bythe upper edges of the slots in the guide sleeve through which the dogs pass in order to assist in 'fo rc' ing the dogs into an .inoperative position when passlng over the collar 67 on the main trip sleeve.-4 The pipe section 89 is l' formed with. longitudinal openings 104' through which a toojl may be introduced indicated gen-` erally at1l05 and forming no particular part ofi this invention, by which the dog operatingV trip sleeve and thereby disconnect the removin g tool i from they floater.

n Y Operdtz'on Assuming the placing tool connected to the floater described and the floater in normal condition which-is with tlie'sprng tripjsleeve locked by. the/dogs 3 8'. relative' to the Heater body 3l, the' main trip sleevey freely movable vertically, the gripper operator treelyvmovable vertcalland theJ main, spring extended, with the rubbersA 19 lin non-'compressed conditioifand the grippers freely sli'dab'le in the slots132 in the flo'ater body 3lt The floater andfplacing tool are lowered `in thel easingy indicatedat 106 to the desired point. 1 During this movement of the Heater and placing tool, it is notedV that v'the'ireis provision for free' unintenarptedv new of water 4through 'the Heater' and? placing tool, such e'nteringfthe; ilo'alterthroi'igh the opening 9 and passing out through theopen'ings 7l of the connector 68. Y

Therefore, the presence of waterin thecasing does not'r interfere with the loweringfof the Heater. f When thelloater reaches@theV desired/point, 'an upward pull is exerted upon theplacing tool tendingto 'raise'the driving l sleeve liwnch first @loses the opening 9 at the lower' end ofthe drivingY sleeve andy there-Y aftercontact between the' cap 5 and carrier 10' movesfupwardlyfthe packing carrier l0 and rubbers 19.` The'up'ward movement 'of the driving sleeve Acauses the pawls fto engagetheapproprate ratchet recesses or kracks 57 and thus lockthe driving sleeve land gripper operator 52 against independent down; wardinovement. The' fixing otthe'gripper operator also iiXes the grip'persagainst relative'vertical`v movement iand'a's the 'main spring 5l iseompressedin the relative upward move--A ment ofthe-'packing carrier l0, it is :apparent that the heater' body is 'under upward tensioni which causes the g'rippers 33 tobe' forcedy intobtngengagement with the casing-1G63; .This lines thefiioater against either upwardor 'downward movement inthe easingr VAsth'e movement' of the'k packingfcarrier tends to4 I n'v'e` upwardlylth'e" rubbers i 19 Vand as' this upward -inovement is interrupted by the lower"-` end of the spring sleeve 26, it is apparent that theontinue'd V'movement tends to compress these rubbers and thereby expand them laterally into sealing engagement with the casing. The loater is thus sealed and gripped with respect to the casing and as will be apparent the channel longitudinally of theflcater closed. Thus the loater is in position to take advantage of the flotation effect of the water beneath the saine as an aid in removing the casing. After the floater has been positioned, an upward pull upon the placing tool causes a relative movement of the pipe section 72 t0 a point to permit outward movement of the lower ends of the locking dogs 83, thereby freeing the placing tool and permitting the same to be withdrawn from the casing, leaving the loater in position. The relative positions and relations of parts of the loater, when the latter is in sealing and gripping cooperation with the casing, is indicated particularly in Figures 2 and 2a.

When it is desired to remove the floater, the removing toolis connected with the cable and lowered until thev dogs engage beneathV the flange 67 on the main trip sleeve. Followlng this'engagement, an upward pull 1s exerted upon the removing tool,'thereby raising the main trip sleeve which moving upwardly relieves Ythe dogs 38, which have served to fix the spring trip sleeve and loater body together, of the holding section 62, thereby permitting the spring trip sleeve to move upwardly under the influence `of the springs 44-and 45 and .thereby displace the pawls to free the connection between the driving sleeve and the gripper operator. The cable is then'operated to exert a downward jar or driving effect on the removing tool which, in this movement, engages with the driving collar 2 and through the cooperation of the driving flange 15 with the shoulder 11 on the packing carrier forces the latter downwardly relieving the compression on the rubbers' and as the loater body is free and:

thetension on the main spring 51 has been relieved, the grippers 33 release and the rubbers return to normal condition, relieving the sealing .cooperation with the casing.l The grippers 33 are held up by springs 44 and 45 while the floater is being removed. The loater is now free to be removed from the casing by drawing upwardly on the removing tool as will be apparent. n,

In the event the iioater is to be used in pulling. an 'inner string of casing from a well in which there is little or no water, theiwell hole up to the bottom of the casing'is plugged, the inner casing isV formed with a hole near-the bottom topermit water to flow from the outerV casing toY the inner casing, the iioateris secured within the inner casing, and water is.

delivered between the outer and inner kcas.-

ings to secure the flotation effect on the bottom of the casing and assist in the removal of the inner casing-" y Y 1 j 4 In the event additional flotation eii'ect is desired, tubing may be run into the casing after positioning the iioater and threaded into the threads 4 of the driving collar. Water is then pumped through this tubing and through the ioater, passing the valve 7, which prevents return flow, and thereby accumulatin@ below the loater for the desired flotation e ect.

If desired to pull a string of casing from a well vwhere there is little or no water and it is also desired to utilize a water flow or circulation to loosen sanded joints of the4 Y The modified oater The modified form of floater differs from the form previously described in that a singlev sleeve is provided in place ot' the spring trip sleeve 41 and main trip sleeve 42 and utilized for both releasing the driving sleeve from li'lted position and also lifting the grippers 33. In order, however, that the modified form may be clearly understood, all details of the structure, which are largely identical with the form first described, will be at least briefly referred to.

The modified construction shows the driving sleeve 107 provided at its upper end with a driving collar 108 similar to the collar 2 of the previously described form, and presenting an abutment shoulder 109 at the lower' end of the collar. t the lower end of the sleeve is a cap 110, the wall of which is formed with openings 111, a downwardly opening spring pressed valve 112 directly cooperating with the end of the sleeve. Above the cap 110, the sleeve proper is formed with an opening 113. A packing carrier 114 encircles the driving sleeve at the lower end, said carrier, except at its extreme lower portion, being spaced from the sleeve throughout its length at 115.

rllhe driving sleeve is provided with a` driving flange 116 arranged to cooperate with a shoulder formed in the interior of the packing carrier, 'and above such iiange, the space 115 is packed, as at 117, with the packing secured by a gland 118. A nut 119 is threaded on the exterior of the packing carrier and between the upper inclined surface 120 of this nut and a retainer 121 movable on and relative to the packing carrier there are arranged packing rubbers; 122 similar to the rubbers 19 described in connection with the other form of loater. 'The retainer 121 Vis carried by a sleeve 123 of compara-tively short length which in turn is provided at its upper end with a lateral {lang-e 124 designed to. underlie a flange 125 on the carrier and overlie a` ila-nge 126 of a spring sleeve 127, which lat-ter is eXteriorly reinforced by bands 128.

The spring sleeveV 127, which extends materially above the carrier, is interiorly provided adjacent its upper endy with a spacer 129 to the lower end of which, through the medium of a lat-eral ilange 130, is secured a spacing sleeve 131 which depends in parallel spaced relation to but terminates sliortof the lower end of the spring sleeve. A coil spring 132, hereinafterftermed the main spring, encircles the spacer 131 bearing against the under surface of the spring sleeve 127 and bears at its respective ends on the flange 125 on the carrier andthe flange 130 on the spacer. 1 A

Secured to the outside of the spring sleeve 127vare 4friction slides 133, Vinthe form of elongated spring strips, secured at their resp'ectivev ends to the outer surface of the spring sleeve 127. r1`hese strips, which are arranged circumterentially of the spring sl-eeve, are' provided in such number and so` te sioned as to normally present a maximum projection at their substantial mid-lengths exceeding the interior diameter of the casing in which the loater is to be placed. 1V hen Vthe iloater is in position, it'may obyiously be moved even against the tension of these strips, but the primary function oic such strips or slides is to support the floatei" at any desired point of rest in the casing;

that is, the slides will frictionally carry the' weight of the ioater. i l v i1 trip sleeve 134 is arranged to slidably encircle the` driving sleeve 107, and encircling the trip sleeve and terminally secured at its lower end, as at 135, to the upper end or" the spring sleeve 127 is a loaterbody 136. The loater body is formed with diametrical'- ly opposed pairs of vert-ically'ranging slots or channels 137, 'the inner or bottom Walls of which incline upwardly and inwardly. '.Slid.- ably mounted in each slot 137 is a gripper.

138, similar to the grippers previously described. Y i

V Slidably mounted on the trip sleeve 134 below the oater body is a spider member 139 from which at opposed diametrically oppo-v site points extend spider arms 140.` TheseV cesses 143 in the lower ends of the grippers 138.

sleeve is providedv with a linedec'ollar 144 Above the 'spider body 139, the trip operating in an interior enlargement 145v in the loater body` and fcooperating with a shoulder 146 at .the upper end of the entive to th-e floater body through the., medium of vertically disposed slots 147 in which enpins 148 threaded in the iloater body, there being a suiiicientnumber of pins and slots to maintain the guiding cooperation. A spring 149 is loosely coiled about the trip sleeve, bearing betweena collar 150 secured at the lower end of the sleeve and the spider member 139, this spring being guided between the trip sle-eve and spacer 131.

As' will app-ear from the later described operation, it is necessary during the lowering of the loater tohold the trip sleeve in its down position relative to the driving sleeve; that is, substantially at the limit oi" expansion `oit the spring 149 while when the floater is set for remo-val, it is necessary that the trip sleeve be held in its upper position. To provide means for locking the trip sleevein these vrespective positions,.the ioater body is provided, preferably at opposed diametrically opposite points, with locking pins 151 having cone-shaped terminals and spring operated by springs 152 in openings 153 leading through the -floater body. j

The pins are preferably in the `form of hollow-ended members in which is seated the .operating spring, the opposite end of thespring bearing against a plug threaded inthe outer endof the opening 153. The trip sleeve at a point iii alignment with the plugs when the sleeve is in down position, is provided with coneeshaped depressions 154 toreceived the ends of the pins and at point-s in alignment with the loclinpins when' the sleeve is in up` position, said sleeve is formed with openings 155 through which the pins can bodily project, the driving sleeve being channeled at 156 to permit the locking pins to have a full locking projection through the openings 155. l

Slidably cooperating with and encircling the trip sleeve abovethe float-er body is a gripper operator 157 provided in the form of a tiveendsformed to cooperate with serrations or ratchet recesses 163 in thedriving sleeve. Four such pawls 161 are preferably provider with diametrically opposed pairs and it Vis preferred that thejpawls 161 be arranged witli'one pair on a slightly higher planeV ver- -ticallythan the other pair, so that under slightly different movements oil the driving sleeve, at least oneY pair of pawls will be in position to interlock with The trip sleeveii's vformed .at appropriate such ratchet rej vai ESC/G5583.

end, if desired.

points with elongated slots 164; through which in a predetermined relative position oih the driving sleeve and trip sleeve, the pawls may project to cooperate with the ratchet r1`he lower walls or margins of these slots act as trips to displace the pawls from locking position in the relative upward movement of the trip sleeve. rl`he tripping sleeve provided at its upper end with a collar 165 toriiiing an abrupt shoulder 166 with the trip sleeve and inclined upwardly and inwardly relative to the trip sleeve at its upper end7 as at 167.

The modi/fied form of placing tool rl`he placing tool7 which of course is equally etlective with both foi-ms of iioater, includes a casting 168 formed at one end with a connector 169 for connecting the placing tool to the cable and at the opposite end with a body 170, the casting being tormed with a. central bore 171 below the connector and extending through the body and having lateral openings or outlets 172 above the body. A sleeve union 178 is connected to and depends below the body and terminally supports the body sleeve 171 ot the placing tool, which latter throughout the upper portion is reinforced by a sleeve or spacer 175 to keep the parts in place.' Y

Arranged nithin and movable longitudinally with respect to the body sleeve 175 -is an operating sleeve 176 provided at its upper end with a collar 177 presenting an external shoulc er between which and a 'ti-ange 178 carrie@` by the body sleeve atthe lower end ot the reinforcing sleeve are arranged inner and outer coil springs 1797 the tension ot which is at least equal to the tension of the main spring 132 of the tioater. The body 170 ot the connector casting is formed with threaded openings 180 through which entend setscrews 181 adapted to bear upon the upper end ot the operating sleeve 176 for a purpose which. will later appear.

The lower end of the operating sleeve is provided with a member 182 having an annular rib 183, and locking dogs 18d are formed on their inner with recesses 185 to more or less loosely engage the rib These locking dogs are cut away on their inner surfaces to present lower shoulders 186 and on their outer surfaces are similarly cut away at 187 to present lower laterally extended bearing` edges 188. The dogs are guided in longitudinal movement in slots 189 formed in a sleeve 190 secured with-` in the body sleeve 171 at the lower end. a reinforcing sleeve 191 being arranged inwardly of the guiding sleeve at the lower The guiding sleeve and the body sleeve 171 are formed at appropriate points with registering openings 192 through which the lower enlarged ends of the dogs may project when the dogs have been raised a determined distance, thus permitting the lower engaging shoulders 186 to move outwardly to a release posit-loin, as will later appear.

As the operating sleeve must be held in tired relation to the body sleeve to insure the desired placing operation7 there is provided a latching means between such elements which includes a ball retainer 193 recessed 1911 to receive and support steel balls 195. 'llie operating sleeve is provided with lateral enlargement 196 formed with an annular recess 197 into which the balls are adapted to seat when in locking position. The ball retainer is reduced in thickness above the balls to provide for the reception of an operating spring 198 which bears between the shoulder on the retainer Jformed by the reduced portion and the flange 17 8 of the body sleeve. The retainer below the shoulder 199 formed by the enlargement 196 is of reduced diameter to fit the operating sleeve, thereby providing a shoulder 20e to beengaged by the shoulder 199 to depress the retainer 193 in the operation of the parts. The body sleeve surrounding the ball retainer is provided with a sleeve-like member 201, the lower inner edge of which is inclined at 202 to form a ball cone.

Operation lt is to be understood that the modified form of placer is to be positioned in the casing in a manner similar to that described in connection with the preceding form and that the initial operation ot such placement is connecting the placing tool to the iloater.

The placing tool is passed over the driving collar 108 and the driving sleeve 107 of the iioater, the enlargements 188 of the dogs 181 being projected at this time through the openings 192 in the body sleeve of the placing tool. After thus positioning the placing` tool, the lower ends ot the dogs are forced inwardly through the openings 192, so that the shoulders 186 ot the dogs are beneath the shoulder 109 of the driving collar 108. llfhe screws 181 are then actuated to force the operating sleeve 176 downwardly, causing the dogs to ride in the grooves 189 of the guiding sleeve 190, maintaining the locking cooperation ot' the dogs. The screws 181 are threaded inwardly to compress the springs 179 and when saidsprings have reached the desired compression1 a rod is inserted through openings 208 in the body sleeve and the ball retainer 198 is moved upwardly against the tension ot the spring 198 until the balls, riding on the incline 202 of the cone 201, are forced into the channel 197 of the operating sleeve.l thus locking the sleeve against the tension of springs 179. The cable is then operated to jar the iioater down intothe casing to the desired point, as previously described, the screws 181 having meanwhile been removed.

' When it is desired to release the placing tool from the floater, the placing body is moved upwardly to an extreme position, it being obvious that the connection between the operating sleeve of the placing tool andl operating sleeve is thus freed from connec-4 tion with the body sleeve by the release of" the balls which are in eflieot a. latching means.

VThe pull on the cable is then released, permitting the sleeve body to move downwardly under the expansion of the springs 179. Thisl relative movement between .the operating sleeve and bodysleeve is not interfered with by the latching balls as immediately theballs are released from the operating sleeve, the spring 198 moves the ball retainer to its lowermost position which precludes the reengagement of the balls, as they are now below the ball cone 201. In this relative movement of the body sleeve and operating sleeve, the ldogs 184 move to align theirlower enlargements 188 with, the openings 192 in the body sleeve and as the inner shoulders 186 of the dogsare somewhat inclined, it is apparent that a slight upward pull on'the placing tool vwill cause the shoulder 109 on the driving collar 108 to force the lower ends of the dogsV outwardly, releasing the connection between the placing tool and oater.

Operation of floater sleeve 134 performs theV dual function oi` tripping the pawls 161 from the position of locking the driving sleeve, as shown in Figures 16 and 16EL and of lifting the grippers 138. The iiXed collar 144 on the trip sleeve also serves the dual function of causing the movement of the sleeve'to be communicated to the fioater body 136 during the removal 0fV the floater and prevents spring 1119 from actto lift the spider 139 when the fioater is in set position in the casing, for in this position the trip sleeve is held in its relatively lowered position by cooperation ofthe locking pins 151 with the recesseslt, at which time vthe collar 144 maintains the spider in its lowermost position. As the sleeve 107 forces down the fioater body 136, the grippers 138 will be'driven up and spring 149 will then force the grippers 138v to extreme release or top position. Blocks or keys 205 are fitted between the top of reducer bushing 135 and the floater body 136 to keep the tripping spider arms 140 from riding on the' threads of the reducer bushing 135.

-What we claim to be new is:

1. In a casing floater, a `driving sleeve, a. fluid by-pass through the iioater, means controlled by the relative position of the sleeve for controlling theby-pass against upward flow of fluid through the by-pass, and meansl to permit downward flow of iiuid through the by-pass independently of the position of the sleeve. I y 1 2. In a casing floater, a hollow driving sleeve forming fluid by-pass through the floater, an opening through the sleeve leading to the by-passadapted to be closed when the driving sleeve is in elevated position, and a downwardly opening valve controlling the by-pass.v l, i

3. In a casing floater, a casing gripping means, a vdriving sleeve through which the casing maybe placed, means whereby relative upward movement of the driving sleeve will operaterthe gripping means, said floater being formed with aiiuid by-pass, meansgoverned by the position of the-driving sleeve' to controlthe upward flow o'f'fiuid through said by-pass in accordance with the relative position of the driving sleeve, and a downwardly opening valve for the by-pass carried by the driving sleeve. j

1. In acasing oater,casing sealing means, casing gripping vmeans, and an operating member for the gripping means responsive to a force in excess ofthat required to lift the floater, whereby the. floater may be moved longitudinally of the casing without liability of setting the gripping means. y

5. In a casing floater, casing sealing means, casing gripping means, and a spring'for actuating the gripping means, said spring beingr tensioned to resist operation by a force less than that required to'lift the floater.

6. Inacasingfloater, casing gripping means, a driving sleeve, means operated by relative movement of the sleeve in one direction to automatically set the gripping means, means for locking the driving sleeve vin such operated relation, .a member to release the lock at will, and spring means released for operation-.ink the movement of such member to positively actuate the gripping means toV released' position.

7-. In a casing floater, casing gripping means, a. driving sleeve, means operated by vmember against operation.

8. In a casingfloater, a floater body, al

driving sleeve. operative therethrough, gripi the gripping means in set or released position in accordance with the relative disposition of the body and gripping means, a member slidable on the driving sleeve and connected to the gripping means, means for moving the. driving sleeve upwardly relative to the body, means for locking said member and sleeve following such upward movement of the sleeve, and means set in motion in the relative upward movement of the sleeve to move the body relative to the sleeve to thereby induce a wedglng action of the grippers.

9. VIn a casing loater, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier slidable on the sleeve, sealing rubbers carried by the carrier, a {"loater body slidable on the sleeve, grippers having wedging cooperation with the body, a. gripper operator connected with the grippersand slidable on the sleeve, a spring casing connected to and depending from the body, a spring housed within said casing and bearing between the packing carrier and the. loater body, and means for locking the sleeve and `gripper operator relative to each other :tollowing upward movement of the sleeve whereby to compress the spring to independently operate the floater body to compel wedging action of the grippers and to compress the rubbers to expand them into sealing cooperationwith the casing.

10. In a casing float-er, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier slidable on the sleeve, sealing rubbers carried by the carrier, a ioater body slidable on the sleeve, grippers having wedgig cooperation with the body, a gripper operator connected with the grippers Vand slidable on the sleeve, a spring casing connected to and depending from the body, a spring housed within said casing and bearing between the vpacking carrier and the iioater body, and means Jfor locking the sleeve and gripper operator relative to each other following upward movement of the sleeve whereby to compress the spring to independently operatcthe `floater body to compel wedging action-of the grippers and to compress the rubbers to expand them into sealing cooperation with the casing, said driving sleeve havin an opening at its lower end normally permitting inflow of liquid, said opening being sealed following the relative upward movement ofv the sleeve.

11. Tin a easing oater, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier movable on the sleeve, means whereby the sleeve may impart upward or downward movement to the carrier, packing rubbers carried by the carrier, a iloater boe y slidable on the sleeve, grippers having wedging cooperation with and carried by said body, a gripper operator slidable on the sleeve above the body and connected with the grippers, a spring casing carried by and depending from the floater body, the lower end of the casing'being arranged to form a compressing abutment for the rubbers in the upward movement of the packing carrier, a spring interposed between the packing carrier and the loater body and put under tension in the upward movement of the carrier, and means for locking the gripper operator and sleeve together following that predetermined upward movement of the sleeve which will elevate the packing carrier to expand the rubbers and tension said spring.

l2. In a casing floater, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier movable on the sleeve, means whereby the sleeve may impart upward or downward movement to the carrier, packing rubbers carried by the carrier, a loater body slidable on the sleeve, grippers having wedging cooperation with and carried by said body, a gripper' operator slidable on the sleeve above the body and connected with the grippers, a spring casing carried by and depending from the floater uody, the lower end of the casing being arranged to form a compressing abutment for the rubbers in the upward movement of the packing carrier, a spring interposed between the packing carrier and the loater body and put under tension in the upward movement of the carrier, and pawls for locking the gripper operator and sleeve together following that predetermined upward movement of the sleeve which will elevate the packing carrier to eXp and the rubbers and tension said spring.

13. In a casing lioater, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier movable on the sleeve, means whereby the sleeve may impart upward or Vdownward movement to the carrier, packing rubbers carried by the carrier, a iloater body slidable-on the sleeve, grippers having wedging cooperation with and carried by said body, a gripper operator slidable on the sleeve above the body and connected with the grippers, a spring casing carried by and depending from the ioater body, the lower end of the casing being arranged to form a compressing vabutment for the rubbers in the upward movement of the packing carrier, a spring interposed between the packing carrier and the floater body and put under tension in the upward movement of the carrier, pawls for locking the gripper operator and sleeve together following that predetermined upward movement of the sleeve which will elevate the packing carrier to expand the rubbers and, tension said spring, spring means for operating the floater body to release the grippers, a pin for locking the spring means against operation, and means whereby said pin may be disconnected and said pawls tripped.

14. In a casing` loater, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier movable on the sleeve, means whereby the sleeve may impart upward or downward movement to the carrier, pac ring pawls tor Y ing of the casing being arranged to form a comi pressing abutment for the rubbers in the upward movement of .the packing carrier, a spring interposed between the packing carrier and the i'loater body and put under tension in the upward movement of the carrier,

sleeve together following that predetermined upward movement of the sleeve which will elevate the packing carrier to expand the rubbers and tension said spring, a spring trip sleeve slidably encircling the driving sleeve, a pin for locking said spring trip sleeve lrelative to the floater body, and a spring ior moving said spring trip sleeve relai ive to the body when the pin is released.

15. In a casing iloater, a driving sleeve, a packing carrier movable on .the sleeve, means whereby the sleeve may `impart upward or downward movement to the carrier, packing rubberscarried by the carrier, a ioater body slidable on the sleeve, grippers having wedging cooperation with and carried by said body, a gripper operator slidable on ythe sleeve above the body and connected with the grippers, a spring casing carried by and depending from the floater body,

pressing abutment for the rubbers in the upward movement of the packing carrier, a spring interposed between the packing vcarrier and the iioater body and put under tension in the upward movement of the carrier, pawls for lockingtlie gripper-operator and sleeve together following that predetermined upward movement of the sleeve which will elevate the packing carrier to expand the rubbers and tension said spring, a trip sleeve slidable on thedriving sleeve, means for lockthe trip sleeve and floater body, spring means held under tension while the trip sleeve is locked, means on the trip sleeve for releas-- ing `the lock, means on the trip sleeve for r e leasing the pawls to free the floater body, said trip sleeve being manually moved for such release action, and means on the trip sleeve means and gripping orengaging and operating the iioaterrbody to releasethe grippers.

16. In a casing iioater, a driving sleeve, casing gripping means, casing sealing` means. means operated-by independent movement of the driving sleeve for actuating the sealing means, and a placing tool cooperating with the driving sleeve to place the floater and operate the'sleeve, said tool including means to automatically release connection with the driving sleeve following the setting oic the grippingmeansV of the loater.

`rubbers carried by the carrier, a iioat'er body locking the gripper operator and I Y I n y y 'spring interposed between the packing carriez'` and t Qs'leeveV forengagingand operating the-Heater l the lowerend of the casing being arranged to form a coni- 1-7,'. Injalcasingtloater, a driving'slee've, a packing carrier movable onthe sleeve, means whereby 'the sleeve mayY impart kupward or downwardlmovement to the carrier, packing slidablefm the sleeve,.grippers having wedgingcooper'ation 'with andca'rried by said body, ja gripperoperator slidable 'on the sleevejabove the 'body and coi'nnected fwith 7,5

thegrippersfa spring'casing carried by and 4depending from" thegloater body, the lower v'endI of thev casing being arr-angedto Jorma compressingfabutment for therubbers in the upwardmovement ofthe pa'ckingcarrier, a

h `he floater vb'ody and put under tension' in the [upward movement'of the carrier, V'pawls for locking the gripper 'operator and sleeve together following that predetermined upward movement of'thesl'eeve'which will ,elevate"tliepacking' carrier toexpand the rubbersand tension Asaid spring, a trip sleeve vslidablefo'n the driving sleeve,means l for locking the trip v'sleeveY and ioater body, spring means held under tension` while the trip sleeve is locked, means ontle trip sleeve for' releasingthe pa'wlsto free j the Heater "body, 'saidtvrip sleeve'b'eing moved manually for s'ueh release actien, means on'the trip 'bodyto releasethe-grippers,and a removing adapted to operate the tripV sleeve. y

V:tool autc'in'uatically engageable with-.and

"18. In a casing floater, a driving sleeve,

casing-grippingmeans, casing sealing means, means peratedby independent movement oit the driving sleeve for actuating the sealing means and gripping means, a trip sleeve slidable on the driving sleeve, means for fixing thetrip sleeve relative to the driving sleeve in either of two positions, a spring held under tension in one relative position of the trip sleeve, said spring being permitted to expand in the other relative position ot the trip sleeve, and means operated by the spring during its expansion to initially move the grippers toward release position.

19. In a casing loater, a driving sleeve, casing gripping means, casing sealing means,

iio

means operated by independent movement of the driving sleeve for actuating the sealing means and gripping means, a trip sleeve slidable on the driving sleeve, means for iixing the trip sleeve relative to the driving means operated by independent movement of the driving sleevev for actuating the sealiao ,ing means and gripping ineans, a trip sleeve slidable on the driving sleeve, means for iining the trip sleeve relative to the driving sleeve in either of two positions, a spring held under tension in one relative position l of the trip sleeve, said springv being permitted to expand in the other relative position of the trip sleeve, a spider operated 4by the spring during its expansion to initially move the grippers toward release position, and means on the trip sleeve to hold the spider against movement by the spring in one relative position of the trip sleeve.

2l. In a. easiiigfloater, a driving sleeve, easing gripping means, easing sealing means, means operated by independent movement of the driving sleeve for actuating the sealing means and gripping means, a trip sleeve slidable on the driving sleeve, means for lixing the trip sleeve relative to the driving sleeve in either of tivo positions, a spring held under tension in one relative position of the trip sleeve, said spring being per- `mitted to expand in the other relative position of the trip sleeve, a spider operated by the spring during its expansion to initially move the grippers toward release position,

and means on the trip sleeve to hold the spider against movement by the spring in one relative position of the trip sleeve, said trip sleeve carried means serving to aetuate the Heater body in the other relative position of the'trip sleeve. f

In testimony whereof We aHiX our signatures.

' ELI H. MECHLING.

JOHN HOVSKINS. 

